Tile spacing tool and method

ABSTRACT

A tile spacing tool is disclosed herein that spans a gap between tile rows where the gap is sized to receive a decorative insert or the like. The spacing tool spans the gap and transfers the weight of the upper tile rows across the gap to the lower tile rows, which are supported by a floor or ledge. As a result, the entire wall can be built including the decorative insert without waiting for the bottom tile rows to dry to support the weight of the tile rows above the decorative insert.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/397,179 filed Jan. 3, 2017, which claims the benefit of thefiling date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/278,618 filed onJan. 14, 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present description relates to a tool and method for spacing andsupporting tiles.

BACKGROUND

Tiles are typically placed on an adhesive such as mortar to attach thetiles to the underlying surface. Spacers are used between tiles toprovide a uniform spacing between the tiles. In wall applications, thebottom tiles rest on a support surface, such as a floor or ledge. Thesecond row of tiles rests on the bottom row of tiles via spacers thatare positioned on the bottom row of tiles. The stacking of rows of tilesis repeated up to the top row of tiles such that the spacers transferthe weight of all the tile rows to the bottom row, and thus to the flooror ledge. The spacers are removed after the mortar is cured or driedsufficiently to hold the tiles in place, and the gaps between the tilesare then filled with grout.

For some types of wall designs, decorative inserts are used that are notable to support the weight of additional rows of tiles above the insert,or include uneven edges or backing material that make support of theupper tile row on the decorative insert using prior art spacersimpractical. For these types of designs, the wall is built up to theinsert and then it is necessary to wait for the adhesive to dry or curebefore installing the tile rows above the decorative insert in order toprevent these tile rows from disturbing the placement of the decorativeinsert. Therefore, further improvements in this area are needed.

SUMMARY

A tile spacing tool is disclosed herein that spans a gap betweenadjacent tile rows, where the gap is sized to receive a decorativeinsert or the like. The spacing tool spans the gap to contact theadjacent tile rows and transfer the weight of the upper tile rows acrossthe gap to the lower tile rows. As a result, the entire wall can bebuilt including the decorative insert without waiting for the adhesiveused for the bottom tile rows and the decorative insert to dry tosupport the weight of the tile rows above the decorative insert.

In one embodiment, the tile spacing tool includes an elongated supportrod and first and second plates extending outwardly from the supportrod, at least one of which is movably secured to the support rod. Atleast one of the support plates can be rotated and threaded along thesupport rod to adjust the spacing between the plates to correspond tothe size of the gap between the tile rows that receives the decorativeinsert. In one embodiment, at least the movable plate is circular inshape so its rotational position or orientation relative to the supportrod is irrelevant, and the spacing between the plates is infinitelyadjustable by rotating and threadingly displacing one or both of theplates along the rod. In another embodiment, each of the first andsecond plates is circular in shape and threadingly engaged to thesupport rod so that each plate can be rotated to infinitely adjust thespacing between the plates to define a distance between the plates thatcorresponds to a size of the gap between two tile rows that receive thedecorative insert therebetween.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the illustrative embodiments. This summary isnot intended to identify key or essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting thescope of the claimed subject matter. Further embodiments, forms,objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall becomeapparent from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may best be understood by referring to the followingdescription and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrateembodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a tile spacingtool employed to space and support adjacent tile rows to receive adecorative insert between the tile rows.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tile spacing tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of adjacent tile rows supported by aplurality of tile spacing tools of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a plate of the tile spacing tool ofFIG. 1 along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tile spacing tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the tile spacing tool of FIG.1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, any alterations and further modificationsin the illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of theprinciples of the invention as illustrated therein as would normallyoccur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates arecontemplated herein.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a tile spacing tool 10 that spans agap 50 to support an upper tile row 52 on a lower tile row 54. Gap 50 issized to receive an insert 56 such as a decorative tile insert, amosaic, or other insert that can be used in a tile wall. Tile spacingtool 10, shown also in FIGS. 5 and 6, includes an elongated support rod12, a first or upper plate 14, and a second or lower plate 16. Elongatedsupport rod 12 includes a length L1 extending along a longitudinal axis18 between a first end 18 a and an opposite second end 18 b. Upper andlower plates 14, 16 are mounted to support rod 12, and at least one ofthe plates 14, 16 is longitudinally movable along longitudinal axis 18and length L1 of support rod 12 to adjust a spacing L2 between upper andlower plates 14, 16 to correspond to the size of gap 50.

Upper tile row 52 and lower tile row 54 are mounted to a support surface58 such as a wall with an adhesive 60. Adhesive 60 is also used tosecure insert 56 to support surface 58 between tile rows 52, 54. Thetile rows 52, 54 are supported on an adjacent face of the respectiveupper plate 14 and lower plate 16, respectively. The upper and lowerplates 14, 16 project radially outwardly from support rod 12 the samedistance so that the outer edge 22, 24 of the respective upper and lowerplate 14, 16 will contact the same vertical wall support surface withsupport rod 12 parallel to the vertical wall support surface.

Referring further to FIGS. 2 and 4, each plate 14, 16 extends to arespective outer edge 22, 24 that defines a perimeter that is circularin shape. Each plate 14, 16 further includes a planar inner surface 25,27, respectively, that face one another and that each define a planethat is orthogonal to longitudinal axis 18. Each plate 14, 16 includes adome-shaped center hub 26, 28, respectively, on its center axis (axis ofrotation) which is aligned with longitudinal axis 18. Center hubs 26, 28project axially from a respective outer surface 29, 31 of plates 14, 16,opposite of the respective planar inner surface 25, 27. An internallythreaded bushing 30, 32 is provided within a respective through-hole 33,35 through the respective center hub 26, 28, and through-holes 33, 35are centered around longitudinal axis 18. Support rod 12 also includes acircular cross-section orthogonal to longitudinal axis 18, and an outerthread profile that threadingly engages the respective internallythreaded bushing 30, 32.

Each of the plates 14, 16 is threadingly engaged to support rod 12 andcan be rotated to longitudinally displace the respective plate 14, 16along support rod 12 and adjust the spacing L2 in an infinitely variablemanner so that the gap 50 can be any size less than L1 or greater than athickness between outer surfaces 29, 31 when inner surfaces 25, 27 arepositioned in contact with one another. Furthermore, since at least oneof the movable plate or plates 14, 16 has a circular outer perimeter,the plate(s) 14, 16 can be stopped at any rotational position alongsupport rod 12 and used to support the tile rows since any location onouter edge(s) 22, 24 can be used to support an adjacent tile row 52, 54.

In another embodiment, only one of plates 14, 16 is longitudinallymovable along support rod 12. In still another embodiment, only one ofplates 14, 16 is circular while the other plate 14, 16 is non-circular,and the non-circular plate is fixed or is fixable in longitudinalposition relative to support rod 12. In any of the embodiments, supportrod 12 and/or bushings 30, 32 can be made from a metal or other rigid,stiff material, although non-metal material could also be used. Plates14, 16 can be made from plastic or other material that can be cleaned toremove adhesive or other materials therefrom, although non-plasticmaterials can be used. In another embodiment, a scale or othermeasurement tool can be provided along support rod 12 to measure thespace L2.

Referring to FIG. 3, upper tile row 52 and lower tile row 54 are shownwith gap 50 therebetween. More upper tile rows and/or lower tile rowsmay be used. A plurality of tile spacing tools 10, 10′, 10″, etc. areused to support upper tile row 52 on lower tile row 54. Lower tile row54 sits on a floor or ledge 62. An insert 56 will have a particularheight when placed on a wall. The tile spacing tool(s) 10 can be setwith plates 14, 16 at spacing L2 corresponding to that height tomaintain an appropriately sized gap between the tile rows to receive theinsert. Insert 56 can be any type of decorative insert or setting whichfits into the gap 50 between the tile rows.

The tile spacing tools 10 are adjusted to accommodate the width orheight of the insert 56 and then placed so that the bottom or outer face31 of bottom plate 16 rests against the upper edge of a correspondingtile of the bottom tile row 54. The upper tile row 52 is above the upperplate 14 of tile spacing tool 10. The upper tile row 52 is placedagainst the adhesive on the wall and rests on top of a top our outerface 29 of the upper plate 14. The tile spacing tools 10, 10″, etc. maybe added after the tiles and the insert 56 have been pressed into theadhesive. The tile spacing tools 10 may then be used to define andmaintain a specific spacing between the adjacent tile rows 52, 54. Thetiles in the tile rows and the insert may be adjusted in position on thewall while the adhesive is wet. Using the tile spacing tool 10, all ofthe tiling can all be placed up the wall from the bottom-most row to thetop-most row at one time with the inserts positions as desired. Afterthe mortar has dried, all of the spacers and tile spacing tools may beremoved, and then the tiles may be grouted. This allows the entire wallinstallation to be installed more quickly than waiting for the lowertile rows and decorative inserts to cure before placing the upper tilerows. The insert 56 may be installed before or after the tile spacingtool(s) is placed on the wall. The insert 56 may be installed before orafter the adhesive for the upper and lower tile rows has set.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are contemplated. For example,a tile spacing tool is disclosed that includes an elongated threadedsupport rod extending between a first end and an opposite second end,and a first plate mounted toward the first end of the support rod and asecond plate mounted toward the second end of the support rod. At leastone of the first and second plates is circular in shape and threadinglyengaged to the support rod and threadingly adjustable along the supportrod to adjust a spacing between the first and second plates tocorrespond to a size of a gap between adjacent tile rows spaced toreceive a decorative insert therebetween.

In one embodiment, each of the first and second plates is circular inshape. In a refinement of this embodiment, the elongated threadedsupport rod extends along a longitudinal axis between the first andsecond ends, and each of the first and second plates defines arespective plane that is orthogonally oriented to the longitudinal axis.In a further refinement of this embodiment, the circular shape of eachof the first and second plates lies in the respective plane. In anotherrefinement, each of the first and second plates is threadingly engagedto the support rod and threadingly adjustable along the support rod.

In additional refinements of the disclosed embodiments, each of thefirst and second plates defines a through-hole on its center axis andeach of the first and second plates includes an internally threadedbushing in the through-hole that is threadingly engaged to the supportrod. In another refinement, each of the first and second plates includesa hub extending along the center axis and each bushing is positionedwithin a respective one of the hubs. In yet another refinement, each ofthe first and second plates is made of plastic material and the supportrod and each bushing are made of metal material.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tile spacingtool includes an elongated threaded support rod extending between afirst end and an opposite second end, and a first plate mounted towardthe first end of the support rod and a second plate mounted toward thesecond end of the support rod. Each of the first and second plates isthreadingly engaged to the support rod and threadingly adjustable alongthe support rod to adjust a spacing between the first and second platesto correspond to a size of a gap between adjacent tile rows spaced toreceive a decorative insert therebetween.

In one embodiment, each of the first and second plates includes an outerperimeter that defines a circular shape. In another embodiment, theelongated threaded support rod extends along a longitudinal axis betweenthe first and second ends, and each of the first and second platesdefines a respective plane that is orthogonally oriented to thelongitudinal axis.

In another embodiment, each of the first and second plates defines athrough-hole on its center axis and each of the first and second platesincludes an internally threaded bushing in the through-hole that isthreadingly engaged to the support rod. In a refinement of thisembodiment, each of the first and second plates includes a hub extendingalong the center axis and each bushing is positioned within a respectiveone of the hubs.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a methodincludes placing at least one lower row of tiles against an adhesive ona surface; placing at least one upper row of tiles against the adhesiveon the surface with the upper row of tiles spaced from an uppermost edgeof the at least one lower row of tiles by a gap sized to accommodate aninsert between the uppermost edge and a lowermost edge of the at leastone upper row of tiles; adjusting a height of a plurality of tilespacing tools so that a distance between an upper plate and a lowerplate of the spacing tool correspond in size to the gap, where adjustingthe height includes rotating at least one of the upper and lower platesto displace it longitudinally along a support rod; placing the tilespacing tools so the lowermost edge of the at least one upper row oftiles is supported by the upper plate and the lower plate is supportedon the uppermost edge of the lower row of tiles; and placing the insertin the gap against the adhesive on the surface while the upper row oftiles is supported by the at least one lower row of tiles while theadhesive cures.

In one embodiment, the method includes removing the tile spacing toolsafter the adhesive cures. In another embodiment, at least one of theupper and lower plates is circular in shape and infinitely adjustable inposition along the support member. In yet another embodiment, each ofthe upper and lower plates is circular in shape and infinitelyadjustable in position along the support member.

In another embodiment, at least one of the upper and lower plates isthreadingly engaged to the support rod. In a refinement of thisembodiment, each of the upper and lower plates is threadingly engaged tothe support rod. In a further refinement, each of the first and secondplates is circular in shape.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly certain exemplary embodiments have been shown and described. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications are possiblein the example embodiments without materially departing from thisinvention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the followingclaims.

In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,”“at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intentionto limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to thecontrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “aportion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire itemunless specifically stated to the contrary.

1. A tile spacing tool, comprising: an elongated threaded support rodextending between a first end and an opposite second end; and a firstplate mounted toward the first end of the support rod and a second platemounted toward the second end of the support rod, wherein at least oneof the first and second plates is circular in shape and threadinglyengaged to the support rod and threadingly adjustable along the supportrod to adjust a spacing between the first and second plates tocorrespond to a size of a gap between adjacent upper and lower tile rowson a wall, wherein the at least one of the first and second platesincludes an outer perimeter defining the circular shape and the at leastone of the first and second plates is rotated around the support rod fordisplacement longitudinally along the support rod so that one of theupper and lower tile rows is supportable by the at least one of thefirst and second plates at any rotational orientation thereof along thesupport rod and the other of the upper and lower tile rows issupportable by the other of the first and second plates to transfer aweight of the upper tile row to the lower tile row with the support rod.2. The tile spacing tool of claim 1, wherein each of the first andsecond plates is circular in shape.
 3. The tile spacing tool of claim 2,wherein: the elongated threaded support rod extends along a longitudinalaxis between the first and second ends; and each of the first and secondplates defines a respective plane that is orthogonally oriented to thelongitudinal axis.
 4. The tile spacing tool of claim 3, wherein thecircular shape of each of the first and second plates lies in therespective plane.
 5. The tile spacing tool of claim 2, wherein each ofthe first and second plates is threadingly engaged to the support rodand threadingly adjustable along the support rod.
 6. The tile spacingtool of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second plates defines athrough-hole on its center axis and each of the first and second platesincludes an internally threaded bushing in the through-hole that isthreadingly engaged to the support rod.
 7. The tile spacing tool ofclaim 6, wherein each of the first and second plates includes a hubextending along the center axis and each bushing is positioned within arespective one of the hubs.
 8. The tile spacing tool of claim 7, whereineach of the first and second plates is made of plastic material and thesupport rod and each bushing are made of metal material.
 9. A tilespacing tool, comprising: an elongated support rod extending between afirst end and an opposite second end; and a first plate mounted towardthe first end of the support rod and a second plate mounted toward thesecond end of the support rod, wherein at least one of the first andsecond plates is engaged to the support rod and adjustable along thesupport rod to adjust a spacing between the first and second plates tocorrespond to a size of a gap between upper and lower tile rows on awall, wherein the at least one of the first and second plates isinfinitely adjustable in position along the support rod so that theupper tile row is supported by one of the first and second plates withthe lower tile row supported by the other of the first and second platesto transfer a weight of the upper tile row to the lower tile row withthe support rod.
 10. The tile spacing tool of claim 9, wherein each ofthe first and second plates includes an outer perimeter that defines acircular shape.
 11. The tile spacing tool of claim 9, wherein: theelongated support rod extends along a longitudinal axis between thefirst and second ends; and each of the first and second plates defines arespective plane that is orthogonally oriented to the longitudinal axis.12. The tile spacing tool of claim 9, wherein each of the first andsecond plates defines a through-hole on its center axis and each of thefirst and second plates includes an internally threaded bushing in thethrough-hole that is threadingly engaged to the support rod.
 13. Thetile spacing tool of claim 12, wherein each of the first and secondplates includes a hub extending along the center axis and each bushingis positioned within a respective one of the hubs. 14-20. (canceled) 21.The tile spacing tool of claim 9, wherein each of the first and secondplates is threadingly adjustable along the support rod to infinitelyadjust the position of the first and second plates along the supportrod.
 22. The tile spacing tool of claim 9, wherein the at least one ofthe first and second plates includes an outer perimeter defining acircular shape and the at least one of the first and second plates isrotated around the support rod for displacement longitudinally along thesupport rod so that the at least one of the first and second plates cansupport the respective upper or lower tile row at any orientation of theat least one of the first and second plates relative to the support rod.23. The tile spacing tool of claim 9, wherein each of the first andsecond plates includes an outer perimeter defining a circular shape andeach of the first and second plates is rotated around the support rodfor displacement longitudinally along the support rod so that the eachof the first and second plates can support the respective upper or lowertile row at any orientation of the first and second plates relative tothe support rod.
 24. The tile spacing tool of claim 9, wherein each ofthe first and second plates is infinitely adjustable along the supportrod.
 25. The tile spacing tool of claim 24, wherein each of the firstand second plates is infinitely adjustable by threading each of thefirst and second plates along the support rod.